Rudd
Scardinius erythrophthalmus
Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) is a freshwater fish found in UK waters. Weedy, still and slow waters — lakes, ponds, drains and the quieter parts of canals. Whether you can keep one depends on local rules — check before you do.
- Max length
- 45 cm
- Max weight
- 2 kg
- Water
- Freshwater
- How often
- Common
Updated
What it looks like
A deep, golden-bronze fish with brilliant blood-red fins and a distinctly upturned mouth. The dorsal fin is set well back, behind the line of the pelvic fins.
That upturned mouth is a feeding adaptation: rudd take food from the surface and mid-water rather than the bottom, which is why they are often caught on floating bread.
How to catch one
Bait
Maggot, caster, bread and small floating baits.
Rig
A light float set shallow, or simply a piece of floating bread crust on a size 12.
When
Warm, calm evenings. Rudd rise to feed at the surface as the light drops.
Where
Near surface, over weed and along reed edges. Watch for dimpling rises.
Season: Late spring to early autumn, when they feed high in the water.
Easy to confuse with
Questions anglers ask
- How do you catch rudd on the surface?
- Free-line a piece of floating crust, or set a float very shallow. Feed a few floating baits first and wait for the rises to start.
- Are rudd and roach related?
- Both are in the carp family and they can hybridise, which is why some fish show a confusing mix of features.
